Cost of Living Comparison Between Adama and Jimma Cost of Living Comparison Between Adama and Jimma

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,113 per month in Adama vs $1,034 in Jimma, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,782 per month in Adama vs $1,428 in Jimma, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,451 per month in Adama vs $1,823 in Jimma, rent included.

Adama costs about 8% more than Jimma, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Adama and Jimma are more affordable than the global median – Adama 17% lower, Jimma 23% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.03 ETB 480

$4.50 ETB 714

-32.67%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.50 ETB 5,468

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.10 ETB 808

Cappuccino

$1.27 ETB 202

$1.13 ETB 179

12.39%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.69 ETB 109

$0.60 ETB 95.4

15.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 ETB 49.29

$0.47 ETB 74.7

-34.04%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.99 ETB 156

$1.20 ETB 190

-17.50%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.02 ETB 478

$1.47 ETB 233

105.44%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.45 ETB 231

$1.19 ETB 188

21.85%

White Bread (500g)

$1.35 ETB 214

$0.40 ETB 63.2

237.50%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.12 ETB 336

$1.18 ETB 187

79.66%

Eggs

$2.41 ETB 382

$4.16 ETB 659

-42.07%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.22 ETB 1,145

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.10 ETB 2,235

$11.42 ETB 1,810

23.47%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.43 ETB 2,129

$11.52 ETB 1,826

16.58%

Apples (1kg)

$6.75 ETB 1,070

$2.29 ETB 363

194.76%

Banana (1kg)

$0.96 ETB 152

$1.15 ETB 182

-16.52%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.19 ETB 347

$3.46 ETB 548

-36.71%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.98 ETB 156

$0.55 ETB 87.9

78.18%

Potato (1kg)

$0.67 ETB 107

$0.56 ETB 89.5

19.64%

Onion (1kg)

$1.89 ETB 300

$3.43 ETB 543

-44.90%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.69 ETB 109

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.63 ETB 99.8

$0.61 ETB 96.0

3.28%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.93 ETB 623

Wine (Bottle)

$5.53 ETB 876

$6.86 ETB 1,088

-19.39%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.04 ETB 165

$1.13 ETB 179

-7.96%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.89 ETB 300

$1.43 ETB 227

32.17%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 ETB 38.10

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.70 ETB 2,171

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.44 ETB 228

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.29 ETB 46.09

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.05 ETB 324

$1.76 ETB 279

16.48%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 ETB 205

$1.77 ETB 280

-27.12%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$54.7K ETB 8.7M

$52.2K ETB 8.3M

4.68%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$54.7K ETB 8.7M

$57.6K ETB 9.1M

-5.00%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$162 ETB 25.6K

$63.2 ETB 10.0K

155.69%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$11.84 ETB 1,877

$15.34 ETB 2,431

-22.82%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$129 ETB 20.4K

$313 ETB 49.6K

-58.85%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.61 ETB 5,485

Cinema Ticket

$5.63 ETB 893

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$80.5 ETB 12.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$40.5K ETB 6.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.44 ETB 7,361

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$75.1 ETB 11.9K

$92.9 ETB 14.7K

-19.18%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.3 ETB 14.6K

$140 ETB 22.2K

-34.09%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$112 ETB 17.8K

$114 ETB 18.1K

-1.59%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$509 ETB 80.6K

$217 ETB 34.4K

134.52%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$302 ETB 47.9K

$159 ETB 25.1K

90.56%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,005 ETB 159.3K

$418 ETB 66.3K

140.15%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$791 ETB 125.4K

$326 ETB 51.7K

142.84%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,277 ETB 360.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,149 ETB 182.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$101 ETB 15.9K

$233 ETB 36.9K

-56.81%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

88.89%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Adama: June 8, 2026

Last update for Jimma: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $509 in Adama versus $217 in Jimma. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 132% higher in Jimma, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Adama vs Jimma: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,113 in Adama, $1,034 in Jimma – roughly 8% apart. Adama costs more across the board, with Monthly Utilities & Internet showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,670 per month in Adama and $1,551 in Jimma. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Jimma, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,113 in Adama and $1,034 in Jimma. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 33% more in Adama, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Jimma, where all-in costs run around $1,034, than in Adama at $1,113. In Jimma it covers expenses comfortably, while in Adama it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Jimma – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Jimma. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Adama makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.